The Essential Surface Design Toolbox
Fall Lecture Series
What Students Are Saying
I have now watched each of your lectures from the Essential Design Toolbox at least twice (and the first one, on resists, four times). What a wealth of knowledge you have shared with us!
Your knowledge is so profound, and you are more than generous in the way you share it. You speak in a measured way that is really easy to follow and you answer every question with incredible patience, wanting to make sure there have been no misunderstandings.
For me, perhaps the best part of these lectures was being able to admire the beautiful fabrics you showed us - the finished pieces so inspiring, the dyed samples so interesting and varied, so full of promise.
In short, I learned a ton, and I had a wonderful time doing so. Your lectures were engaging, thoughtful, and informative, and your presentation of the material couldn’t have been better.
Thank you so much.
- Joan B.
Water-based Resists
RECORDING AVAILABLE.
Learning how to use simple and inexpensive water-based resists like glue, flour, and soy wax expands the surface design options, whether your preferred medium is dye, paint or a combination of both. In this entertaining and informative lecture I will introduce you to each of these products in addition to what is available commercially.
Simple products. Stunning results.
Behind the Scenes with Fiber Reactive Dyes
RECORDING AVAILABLE.
A basic working knowledge of fiber reactive dyes is a good thing and you can accomplish alot with very little real understanding. But there is so much more! In this lecture I will take you behind the scenes and explain aspects of the dyes you may never have known before. I will also share numerous experiments done by students of my Mastery Program from 2009 - 2019 – each of which was designed to explore how the dyes “work” at a deeper level.
You may already know a lot about MX dyes, but come along with me.
This is a great refresher and reminder, in addition to sharing explorations that will expand your understanding of these versatile and remarkable dyes!
Using Discharging Agents Safely and Effectively
RECORDING AVAILABLE.
Removing dye color with bleach, DeColourant, Thiox or Rit Color remover is seductive. The shadow and light effect can greatly enhance a rather blah length of cloth!
But these products deserve respect. Each can be hazardous to your health. In this essential guide to discharging I will explain each of the possible products and walk through how to use them safely while achieving exciting results.
All About Black
RECORDING AVAILABLE.
Black is an essential contributor to lots of fiber and mixed media pieces. In this lecture I will talk about the best practices for dyeing true black on cloth, and then introduce a broader discussion into black pigments, paints, acrylic inks and India Ink.
I’ll end with a discussion about how to use black effectively in your work, whether it is stitching, mixed media or art quilting.
The Rolling Stones had it right – Paint it Black!
More kind words
Thank you Jane!
These lectures are really wonderful. It is so good to see your examples and I love your teaching style.
— Carole F.
The lectures were wonderful, so much information and new ideas.
I have been doing this kind of thing for a long time, it is always amazing to me that there is still stuff to learn. Thank you for spreading your knowledge and being such a patient teacher.
— Robin F.